To think it's impossible to furnish your house when you have little money?

[marry3456x]

I've just got the keys for my new home.
It's basically a shell..no carpets,no appliances no furniture.
It's my first place and I have nothing.
I currently receive ESA which is £202 a fortnight,I have no credit cards.
How on earth am I meant to do this?
It's 2 bedrooms..
Cooker,fridge,washing machine,carpets,kettle toaster,plates,cups,knife,forks
Wardrobe ,bed,dresser,tv,sofa ,blinds /curtains,vinyl floor,coffee table etc etc etc
Is this impossible?
I'm really stressed about it
It all needs decorating..everything
The doors,skirtings,ceiling are all a dirty magnolia /dirty stains on them.

Definitely local FB pages.

'If so worth asking if they provide any decorating grants as many do.'

It's definitely worth asking, but many councils did away with such grants long ago.

You can’t do it all at once. You have to get used to things being a bit bare and mismatched at first.

When I separated from my ex people offered me things and I happily accepted. They are not what I would have chosen but they were a start.

Look on Freecycle and local Facebook selling groups (most areas have sites for free things as well). Lots of people change sofas and furniture regularly.

We've got rid of most of that kind of stuff via the preloved website, mostly at nominal prices, sometimes free. Including a tall fridge/freezer, cooker, various beds, 2 sofas, several sets of curtains, etc even a couple of garden sheds. All were very good condition with lots of life left (mostly looking good as new) and just got rid of when replacing with new, rather than them being past-it! Also don't forget ebay, cards in shop window noticeboards, local facebook groups, etc.

OP, I just looked on Google and there’s an organisation called Locate, based in Chilton that covers the whole of Durham, offering low cost furniture and electrical goods which they safety check. You can find them at cdfhs.org.uk.
There’s a list of other services available in your area, including charity shops and things run by Durham council.

I've got a set of blackout curtains I'd happily post to you, 66w/54d. They're duck egg Blue and just sat in the cupboard, I moved house and they don't fit. Obviously this is only if you want to reveal your address in a pm.

Where are you based? I’ve Moved house and bought lots of new bits and I have some really nice, good quality chest of drawers, cups, glasses, storage box, a TV, curtains that you are welcome to have for free until you are on your feet xx

Auctions are great too. Some amazing bargains for almost nothing.
Community furniture place?
Definitely British Heart Foundation I came across a BHF home store the othet day, next to a Sue Ryder on3 and was astonished by the quality if what they had.
Gumtree.
Where do you live? My MIL has a fridge freezer and lots of white paint she is about to put on Gumtree free.

Try googling local furniture charities in your area. The one local to me does a complete home kit (sofa, beds, wardrobes, kitchen stuff, bedding packs) for £70 including delivery and it’s all good quality items. For the white goods see if there are any Trusts in your area that give out individual grants - often you’ll have to be referred by CAB or another charity.

Give all the paintwork a good wash down, so even if tired it is at least squeaky clean - will make it better to paint over when the time comes too.

Find a good second hand shop that helps people on low incomes.

I got a good sofa, Ikea chair, tv stand and shelving for £118 from a good shop. British heart foundation I found were expensive, couldn't get just the sofa cheaper than £150 there.

we sat on cardboard boxes for 12 weeks . we literally had to wait for each payday to buy another piece of furniture. It's ok it happens and don't feel bad about it.
I appreciate my stiff so much more because of it and definetly look at gumtree or freecycle

Hi OP, you could try FRADE, a furniture re-use charity frade.co.uk/our-objectives/

There’s one in Darlington - not sure how far they deliver but it’s worth a call. They’re really nice.

Ask on your local facebook page and say that you can collect. People have asked on my local one before and have been given all sorts of furniture, crockery etc. Lots of people have things hanging round that we don't need and are happy to help out.

Freecycle or Freegle. Join a few local groups - depending on where you live there might be several. If you live near an upmarket area, add the group that covers it.
All of the things you mentioned are likely to be things that people will be giving away.
You will probably need to collect the item so you'll need a car or a van and some help for large items.
Flatpack is great.
If you are wording a request, say Please and ask for a specific item or just a few specific items, e.g 'under-counter fridge' or 'neutral emulsion paint and satinwood' not 'household items'.
Also ask friends and relatives.
Check out charity shops and warehouses that sell furniture and second hand furniture shops.

When I left my exh I left with nothing but the 2dc.

I used freecycle and eBay to do my house. Often with freecycle I would end up with additional things.

This is similar to FRADE but closer to Durham www.cdfhs.org.uk/index.php

I furnished my first rooms and flats with second hand furniture from charity shops, skips, and shelves made from planks and bricks. I painted wooden crates to make storage. It was fine. I replaced things bit by bit as I could afford it.

Carpets are trickier, though. I never had to find flooring and 8 don’t know if the furniture charities can help with that. But it’s worth asking.

Somany I came on to say try the local 'tip shop' (the bit of the Household Recycling Centre that has re-usable stuff for a couple of quid).

There is often stuff there that would be fine with a lick of paint.

You are in the same position as most people when they get their first place. Its easier than ever these days with things like freecycle etc. Also its trendy to paint 'vintage' stuff with chalk paint.
I had a piece of perspex balanced on bricks as a side table and it looked great. I slept on a camp bed and sat in a deckchair for a few weeks. Think of it as camping for a while. Cover crates and boxes with throws/scarves. The most important thing is to get it clean. May I suggest a coat of white paint throughout to start with. It will soon feel like home! How exciting, show us some photos!

Nothing stupid or embarrassing about buying things in charity shops or recycling things.

Hope you get things sorted soon and start to enjoy your new home.

As others said Freecycle or freegle
I got a tonne of stuff when I got my free place and had zero cash.

My top tip is be polite and explain why you want the item and be flexible on pick up times.

Also look on eBay location search function you can find amazing stuff very cheaply.

Congrats on your new place! You are very lucky to have managed to get a council house

When we got our first home (1980s), we hung round at the tip. We even got a working fridge and settee that we kept for years. People throw out all sorts of great stuff!

*First place not free place 🤦🏻‍♀️

I don’t have a lot but I have enough. I regularly donate to the food bank/charity as much as I can. I’m really fortunate that I grew up with parents who could help me buy what I wanted within reason.

Since moving out I try to give back. I’m only 21, but try to do my bit. I’d love to think the little I give could help someone out. Don’t ever be embarassed to ask for help.
Even though my house is ikea, my tv stand was £16. It’s possible to do it cheap/free, please please ask for help if you need it. I think this feeling of embarrassment over things is so sad. In this climate we all need to help one another. Good luck!

Also have a look at Durham County Council welfare assistance scheme www.durham.gov.uk/article/5338/Welfare-assistance-scheme